Natasha Sherling visits three skincare experts to find out what they recommend for a better skincare routine …
It’s harder than ever to cut through the skincare noise. It’s something that many of us wonder – how can we do just a little bit more for our skin without being overly interventionist? Not all of us are drawn to injectables. In fact, we’re seeing a pull back from these kind of invasive treatments, with more of a focus on skin health, protection and maintenance.
Dr Jennifer Owens says that key trends she’s seeing for 2026 include a focus on skin quality: “We’re moving away from the overfilled, overtreated aesthetic and towards something far more refined: the real goal is healthy, hydrated, radiant skin. Technologies like platelet-derived growth factors (PDGF) are being refined. The focus is on function, longevity and measurable results. Also, it’s all about working with the skin instead of constantly fighting it. The focus is shifting from aggressive exfoliation to intelligent nourishment – think antioxidants, peptides and hydration over acids and overuse of prescription retinoids. People want skin that’s calm, strong, luminous skin – not stripped and sensitised.”
Our tester Natasha wanted to take her daily skincare up a level. “I have decided this is the year to step up from my regular moisturiser plus SPF routine – I would love to find a facialist to come up with some sort of comprehensive plan. I’ve never done injectables, etc – not that I’m necessarily opposed to them, but I’d rather have an overall plan. I feel there is a lot of noise around skincare and it’s very hard to cut through marketing terminology to find out what I actually need. I don’t necessarily want to change how my face looks, I just want my skin to be the very best it can be.”
She had a consultation with three skin experts for their advice. Here’s what she found out:
Dr Jennifer Owens, The Glow Clinic
Dr Owens is the founder of The Glow Clinic, in Dublin and Cork. “Owens extends the concept of fitness beyond our bodies and onto skin,” Natasha found. “She likens going to a facialist versus self-treating at home as the difference between going to a personal trainer or going for a solo walk. One of the pillars of skincare is really making sure your skin is as ‘fit’ as it can be – then it will respond to and recover from treatments quicker. Post-30s, your skin starts getting out of shape; it doesn’t produce collagen as effectively, it’s more dehydrated. And you can ‘break’ your skin with overuse of products. So again, as with a fitness regime, it’s about starting slow and building up with really effective products like retinol.”
Natasha reports: “We touched on injectables, which I’m slightly indifferent to, but it was interesting to hear what the options are should I choose to go down that road – with the backing of science and a medical, professional setting.”
Dr Owens says that her patients’ feedback tends to be that they get comments on the glow from their skin, a ‘glow from within’, and that they feel homecare and in-clinic regimes are personalised to them, rather than being directed straight to things like injectables or fillers to mask their face.”
An in-depth consultation costs €100 for 45 minutes, with virtual consultations from €50. Treatments from €120 for one hour.
Treatment to try: The Express Glow Facial, €70 for 30 minutes. There’s also a Skin Reset Treatment Collection featuring eight bespoke facials and peels.
The Glow Clinic, Mount Street Upper, Dublin 2, and 22 Marlboro Street, Cork.
Megan Byrne, The Skin Studio
This is the home of cult French skincare line Biologique Recherche in the centre of Dublin. I’d recommend this hidden treasure to anyone looking for expert skin advice and tailored treatments – Megan Byrne is the real deal, and a wonderful facialist.
Natasha reports: “Megan requested that I attend my consultation having done a no cleanse routine that morning, so that she could see my skin in its ‘true’ state,” says Natasha. “Biologique Recherche technology and scanning machines helped to assess my skin. After answering all of my questions, Megan used some product to see how my skin reacted and to work out a plan of action. I found that I was very happy to walk around with no make-up on for the rest of the day. Their space is so beautiful, and unexpected: a real oasis of zen in The Coombe area.”
Note that The Skin Studio also offers complimentary treatments with therapist Natalie Larkin for those living with or healing from cancer. A lovely and caring initiative.
In studio consultation: €100 for 60 minutes; online €50 for 45 minutes.
Treatment to try: The Signature facial is customised to suit your skin’s needs; from €185 for 60 minutes. Peels, microneedling and exosomes are also available.
The Skin Studio, 60 The Coombe, The Liberties, Dublin 8.
Eavanna Breen Skin & Laser Clinic
“Eavanna Breen used tech machinery to assess my skin before chatting through a plan. It also helped in the production of a personalised moisturiser (shipped to me from Germany). She introduced the concept of microneedling/IPL and discussed why it would be of benefit. She understood my lack of desire for a 12-step routine, so she cut through jargon and was able to tell me about the building blocks I really needed to use in terms of making a difference.”
Consultation: €100, redeemable against treatment or product.
Treatment to try: The new Pro Dermal Active O-Biome Oxygen Therapy, a bespoke facial treatment that targets the skin’s oxygen supply, €200 per session.
Eavanna Breen Skin & Laser Clinic, 50 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2.
The conclusion
“In summary, I went to these consultations thinking that I was being relatively low-maintenance with my skin, but it turns out that I’m not doing too badly with my general routine of cleanse/tone/serum/moisturise/SPF. Key takeaways are that I’m going to incorporate retinol into my routine and also go for a course of microneedling to get my skin working at its best level.
A friend gets IPL and says that she has really seen a difference in terms of fine lines and pigmentation, concluding that it’s worth the discomfort (which is minor) during the procedure. Referencing the ‘noise’ element of the beauty industry, the science behind microneedling is really clear and makes sense to me – in really basic terms of giving your skin a kickstart to boost collagen production via the repairs it makes post-treatment. I will definitely book in this year.
Also, a facial with a skin expert is a great place to start as it allows you to pinpoint the exact issues at hand – products that work for one type of skin won’t work for another – so a facial can help work out the most effective home solutions, and anything else can be built on from there. It was so beneficial to chat face-to-face and come up with a plan via professionals who really know their stuff.” @natashasherlingfinejewellery
SEE MORE: Pamper Rituals For The New Year
We may earn a commission if you buy through affiliate links on our site.
